Chapter 279 Lu Yuan's face turned pale with anger
Shen Ci'an took a deep breath. "You have saved her many times, and I am truly grateful for that. Otherwise, why would I have allowed you to get close to her time and time again?"
"Do I need your permission?" Lu Yuan scoffed. "Don't think too highly of yourself. You may be the most suitable person for her right now, but that doesn't mean she has feelings for you."
Shen Ci'an curled his lips, "You know that she and I are the most suitable for each other, so why do you have to interfere and disturb us?"
“Shen Ci’an,” Lu Yuan ground his back teeth, “Has anyone ever told you that you deserve a beating?”
Shen Ci'an laughed. "A lot."
There were countless civil officials in the court who, when arguing with him over differing political views, would turn red in the face and even seem to want to punch him.
Just then, the door opened, and Jiang Zhi returned.
The tense standoff just moments before vanished in an instant, replaced by a relaxed demeanor, as if the confrontation had never occurred.
"What's this?" Lu Yuan asked, noticing that Jiang Zhi was carrying a tray.
Jiang Zhi smiled and placed the tray in front of Shen Ci'an, "Longevity noodles."
Shen Ci'an looked at the noodles in front of him with a puzzled expression, then suddenly realized something and his face showed surprise.
"Did you cook this yourself?"
Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Of course, hurry up and try it, how does it taste?"
She had cooked for Lu Yuan many times in Yaocheng, and was confident in her cooking skills.
"What about mine?" Lu Yuan asked with a dark face.
Jiang Zhi glared at him, "Today is the Master's birthday, what do you need this for? You can just eat vegetarian food."
She pushed the plates of vegetarian dishes in front of Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan pressed his tongue against his palate and laughed in a cold and unbelievable way.
He couldn't understand why he had come up the mountain today.
Watch how Jiang Zhi and Shen Ci'an are so loving and how she celebrates his birthday.
He was in no mood to eat at all.
I'm so angry I'm full.
"Young Miss, I didn't expect you to remember my birthday. I had even forgotten it myself."
Shen Ci'an stared blankly at the bowl of noodles in front of him.
Since it was in a mountain temple, it was just a simple bowl of vegetarian noodles, with mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots to enhance the flavor, and scallions and green vegetables floating on top.
"Try it quickly, it won't be good if it gets cold," Jiang Zhi urged.
Shen Ci'an took a sip of the soup, and it was indeed very fresh and fragrant. The steaming hot soup warmed his whole body.
He then gently twirled the bamboo chopsticks, wrapped the noodles around them, and slowly put them into his mouth.
"Delicious! I never expected the young lady to have such culinary skills. This is the best noodles I've ever eaten in my life," he couldn't help but exclaim.
Jiang Zhi blushed as he praised her, "How could it be as exaggerated as the teacher says? At most, it's just not bad, right?"
Shen Ci'an shook his head and looked at her seriously. "I haven't celebrated my birthday since my parents passed away. This is the first time someone has remembered my birthday and cooked noodles for me personally. For me, this is the most delicious noodle dish."
If Lu Yuan hadn't been there, he really wanted to hug her tightly and let her know how happy he was; the intense emotions surging within him almost burst out of his chest.
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but smile, "I'm glad you like it, Master."
The two were enjoying themselves, but Lu Yuan was so angry that his face turned pale, his fists clenched tightly under the table, and his chest heaving.
"It's just a bowl of plain noodles, why are you so happy?" He couldn't help but sneer. "No gift for your birthday, that's all."
Shen Ci'an frowned, "It's already good that the young lady remembers. Did she celebrate your birthday?"
"You!" Lu Yuan's jawline tightened, and his dark pupils gleamed with a bloodthirsty light.
“Oh, thank you for reminding me, Lord Lu,” Jiang Zhi suddenly said, “I almost forgot to give you a gift.”
Under Lu Yuan's murderous gaze, Jiang Zhi took out a dark blue embroidered pouch from her sleeve.
The purse is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, resembling a folding fan. It is intricately embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship and the considerable effort put into its creation.
"This was embroidered by my own hand. You must wear it every day and never take it off."
Shen Ci'an was almost overwhelmed by Jiang Zhi's series of surprises today.
He took the purse and immediately hung it on his waistband, clearly delighted with it.
Lu Yuan felt short of breath, staring intently at the purse as if he wanted to bore a hole through it.
She also had a purse that Jiang Zhi had given her; it was something Jiang Zhi had deliberately given her in front of Yan Wenhong to gain his trust.
It was also what Jiang Zhi originally intended to give to Shen Ci'an.
In comparison, it's obvious which one shows more sincerity.
"We've eaten the noodles, and we've given the gifts—" Lu Yuan gritted his teeth, "Now, can you come down the mountain with me?"
He's going to go crazy if he stays any longer.
“No, I still want to go to the back mountain to admire the flowers with my teacher.” Jiang Zhi frowned.
This was something she had planned long ago.
“Fine,” Lu Yuan said, his aura so low it could freeze a person to death. “Hongxuan’s portrait is finished. If you’re not in a hurry, I’ll pretend this never happened and burn the portrait when we get back. You can go find someone yourself.”
Without waiting for Jiang Zhi's reply, he got up and left the room.
Jiang Zhi was stunned.
He wanted to stay here, so who is he trying to vent his anger on?
Is it wrong for her to give her husband a gift for his birthday?
But Hongxuan—
She gritted her teeth, glancing at Lu Yuan who left without a second thought, then at Shen Ci'an, caught in a dilemma.
“It’s alright, Miss, please go ahead,” Shen Ci’an suppressed the bitterness in her heart. “I’m already very happy today. We can save the flower viewing for next time.”
Lu Yuan could speak harshly without restraint, but he didn't want to put the young lady in a difficult position.
Next time, without Lu Yuan interfering, the young lady can have more fun.
"But today is your birthday after all, and I want to spend more time with you." Jiang Zhi bit her lower lip.
Although Lu Yuan wasn't so impulsive as to refuse to help her find someone.
But he's also petty; if you really anger him, it's hard to know how long it will take to appease him.
Shen Ci'an tucked a strand of hair that had fallen beside her temple behind her ear. "Remember to come back early after you've finished your business. I'll be waiting for you to have dinner together."
Jiang Zhi hesitated for a moment, then finally stamped her foot and said, "Alright, then be careful on your way back, I'll go ahead now."
She was actually quite curious about Hongxuan's affairs.
If we can find her whereabouts soon, we might be able to find out what happened to King Xiang back then.
Watching Jiang Zhi's departing figure, Shen Ci'an clenched the purse at his side.
As intelligent as he is, how could he not see that Jiang Zhi treats Lu Yuan differently?
Yet he selfishly used his status as Madam Shen to imprison her.
He carefully stroked the intricate embroidery, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
It's enough that the young lady is willing to put in the effort to celebrate his birthday.
He dared not be greedy.
＊
Jiang Zhi followed Lu Yuan's departing footsteps, only to find that he was no longer there.
She couldn't help but feel resentful.
This person really just leaves without waiting for her?
She cursed him under her breath, her teeth itching, and after a few steps she saw Lu Yuan's personal carriage.
It turns out that they had planned to bring her down the mountain all along.
She was so angry she wanted to laugh.
Just as she reached the carriage, a strong hand suddenly reached out from inside and pulled her into the carriage amidst her gasp.
"Let's go." Lu Yuan's deep voice was unreadable in the darkness.
The carriage quickly started moving and headed down the deserted mountain road.
The carriage, made of ironwood, was neither airtight nor light-transmitting, with thick curtains blocking out everything from the outside world.
Jiang Zhi's vision was blurry, and she felt a little flustered.
"Lu Yuan?" she called out to him, who was hidden in the shadows.
With that one sound, it was as if some kind of valve had been opened.
She was suddenly pressed against the car wall. Before she could even speak, a fierce and brutal kiss landed on her, and his outstretched arms held her waist tightly, rendering her completely immobile.
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